Ice in the Fire

Daiva Staškevičienė, a Lithuanian artist born in 1968 in Vilnius, spent her formative years there and began her artistic education at the Justinas Vienožinskis School of Arts. She entered the Academy of Fine Arts in 1995 with an initial focus on scenography, but her interests soon gravitated toward graphic art. This newfound enthusiasm led Daiva to pursue further studies, culminating in a Bachelor of Arts degree under the mentorship of Professor Leonas Lagauskas in 2000. In 2002, she achieved her Master of Arts diploma and subsequently joined the Lithuanian Artists' Union.

Staškevičienė is celebrated for her artwork distinguished by painstaking attention to detail and a vivid imagination. Her pieces seamlessly blend human forms, natural motifs, urban scenes, intricate ornamentation, and decorative flourishes. Each element she incorporates is intentional, carrying symbolic value and layered meanings. Lithuanian symbols frequently appear in her art, referencing the nation's essential values instead of merely evoking a sense of nostalgia. With each viewing, audiences can continuously discover fresh aspects of significance and symbolism within her creations.

For many years, Daiva's works have helped represent Lithuania abroad. Her depictions of Vilnius Old Town, among other pieces, were exhibited at the international "WoMen and Democracy, Reykjavik-Vilnius" conference as well as at the NATO congress between 2001 and 2005. Beyond these prestigious events, her art has also been showcased in books and various other publications, broadening her reach both within Lithuania and internationally.

Over the course of her career, Daiva Staškevičienė has organized 22 solo exhibitions, including a virtual presentation at Galerie Paveikslai.lt in December 2020, prompted by the pandemic. She has also taken part in numerous group exhibitions at home and abroad. Given the complex and labor-intensive processes involved in her technique, each piece is created in limited numbers, which has contributed to their desirability among collectors. Today, her works can be found in private collections in countries such as the USA, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and elsewhere.